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Enchantment of the Seas Review

Introduced in 1997, Enchantment of the Seas received upgrades in 2012 that have proven popular throughout the fleet such as an outdoor movie screen poolside, digital signage, pervasive Wi-Fi, lounges for elite past passengers, and a new nursery.

In 2005 Enchantment

of the Seas (originally a Vision-class ship identical to Grandeur of the Seas) was the third Royal Caribbean ship to be lengthened to increase her capacity and facilities. After she was cut in half, a new, 73-foot middle section containing 151 staterooms and suspension bridges that span the pool area and overhang the sea were added. Not only was the pool area expanded by almost 50%, but four bungee trampolines were installed—for real thrills you can soar high above the bow while safely tethered to the trampoline.

For a buzz of a different sort, a pool bar juts out over the water where peekaboo windows set into the deck afford views of the sea below. Nearby floor-mounted water jets create a splash deck for children that transforms into a lighted fountain after dark. Recreational facilities and the spa were also expanded during the renovation. Not to be overlooked, interiors now include the South Beach–style Bolero's lounge as well as a coffee and ice cream bar, a steak house, and an enlarged Windjammer Café.

Big, bigger, biggest! In the early 1990s, Royal Caribbean launchedSovereign-class ships, the first of the modern megacruise liners, which continue to be the all-around favorite of passengers who enjoy traditional cruising ambience with a touch of daring and whimsy. Plunging into the 21st century, each ship in the current fleet carries more passengers than the entire Royal Caribbean fleet of the 1970s, and has amenities—such as new surfing pools—that were unheard of in the past.

All Royal Caribbean ships are topped by the company's signature Viking Crown Lounge, a place to watch the seascape by day and dance at night. Expansive multideck atriums and promenades, as well as the generous use of brass and floor-to-ceiling glass windows, give each vessel a sense of spaciousness and style. The action is nonstop in casinos and dance clubs after dark, while daytime hours are filled with poolside games and traditional cruise activities. Port talks tend to lean heavily on shopping recommendations and the sale of shore excursions.